Santa Carolina Reserva De Familia Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Maipo Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: Santa Carolina proudly declares that they use glass that is now 35% lighter than in the past. This reduction in bottle weight helps to decrease transportation fuel usage. Very deep ruby colour with aromas of cassis, butterscotch, smoked meat, vanilla and blueberry. All elements are full-throttle. Dry, with big fruit surrounded by substantial tannins and ample acidity for freshness. Full bodied with a long, nicely balanced finish. Enjoy it tonight. My note: Delicious dependable and a deal. This is a terrific producer for those who want a wine that tastes twice as expensive as it costs. Full-bodied and generous with layers of black fruit. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: grilled back ribs with a rich sauce. Drink: 2011 - 2016 408658 14.5% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 89/100. November 2011. Best Value Red Wine Full ReviewAdd to Shopping Cart

Viña Chocalán Reserva Syrah 2008, Maipo Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: Deep ruby in the glass, this wine is a veritable anthology of classic Syrah aromas and flavours with its complex oak, blackberry, plum, mulberry, tea, chocolate and vanilla. The palate is vibrant and fruit-filled, with lovely echoes of the vanilla and chocolate. Medium bodied and toasty with a medium-long finish, it will make a lovely choice tonight. My note: Full-bodied and tasty with delicious black fruit flavours. This is not a wine to analyze, just drink it. Syrah food pairings: grilled steak, braised beef dishes. Drink: 2011 - 2014 38513 14% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 87/100. November 2011. Full ReviewAdd to Shopping Cart

Château Le Caillou Giraud-Bélivier, Prop. Meritage 1998, A.C., Pomerol, Bordeaux, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Château Le Caillou is a tiny 7-hectare property that is principally located atop the gravelly Pomerol plateau. Producing a mere 3,000 cases a year, Château Le Caillou is known for creating richly textured wines featuring well-integrated tannins. The aromas and flavours are of ripe plum, fruitcake, and black cherries, complemented by n cedar and spice. Hailing from the Right Bank’s last great vintage of the 1990s, this Pomerol is an exceptional value. Enjoy it tonight. My note: Black pepper and smoke on the nose followed by jubilantly juicy blackberries and black cherry. This is a mature wine ready to drink now, so don’t hold it too long. Meritage food pairings: veal tenderloin. Drink: 2006 - 2013 45682 12.5% D 750 mL $49.95 Score: 90/100. November 2011. Full ReviewAdd to Shopping Cart

Château Beau-Site Cru Bourgeois Supérieur Meritage 2004, A.C., Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux, France: Vintages Wine Panel: This wine is loaded with aromas of cassis, plum, cedar, new leather and anise. Dry with very good fruit replays, and held together beautifully by ripe tannins. Maturing in the best sense of the word, but will easily reward another 5+ years in a cellar if you wish. Otherwise, open it tonight and enjoy it, decanted. My note: Very tasty though over-priced by $10. Tart cherries and smoke with a juicy, full-bodied nature. Decant 2 hours. Meritage food pairings: grilled steaks, roast beef. Drink: 2012 - 2017 967844 12.5% XD 750 mL $37.95 Score: 89/100. November 2011. Full ReviewAdd to Shopping Cart

Le Vieux Donjon Michel Lucien, Prop.-Récolt. 2009, A.C.,Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, Rhône, France: Superb, luxurious, rich liquid velvet. Encase yourself in this wine and we’ll never see you again. Gorgeously ripe blackberries, plums and black raspberry liqueur. This one will keep a long time in the cellar … if you can wait. Worth laying down a case for a child or grandchild born in 2009. Drink: 2012 - 2025 700922 14% XD 750 mL $57.95 Score: 93/100. November 2011. Top Rated Red Wine Full ReviewAdd to Shopping Cart

Señorío De P. Peciña Reserva Bodegas Hermanos Peciña 2001, D.O.C.A., Rioja, Spain: Vintages Wine Panel: This wine exceeds even Gran Reserva ageing requirements, but was bottled only as a Reserva. This illustrates the highest standards this house practices. A mature wine that is drinking beautifully right now. Look for aromas and flavours of blackberry crème, pipe tobacco, spice cupboard and dried red fruit. It can be aged for another year or two, but why bother when it’s this good now? The Peñin Guide to Spanish Wine 2010 gave this wine a score of 90. My note: Leather, smoke and memories of a dusty walk in Spain. The fruit is a flesh memory only, but the bones remember to their marrow. Smooth and smoky, for conversations that are comfortable with long silences. Drink: 2008 - 2013 82156 13.5% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 90/100. November 2011. Full ReviewAdd to Shopping Cart

Robert Mondavi Winery Fumé Blanc 2009, Napa Valley, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: The winery gets the fruit for this wine from two of their stellar vineyards: Wapoo Hill and To Kalon. They add 10% Semillon to round out the wine. Sixty percent of the wine is barrel fermented. All wines are then aged, sur lie, in French oak. My note: Juicy and refreshing with vibrant, clean lemon and lime fruit. Very zippy: perfect for so many dishes. Drink: 2011 - 2015 221887 13.9% XD 750 mL $22.95 Score: 91/100. November 2011. Full ReviewAdd to Shopping Cart